Sloww Sunday 028: Hero's Journey, Digital Minimalism, Psychologically Rich

Sloww Sunday Newsletter 028 (August 23, 2020) — The Hero’s Journey, Digital Minimalism, Psychologically Rich Life, & More

Hi friends,

Sloww synthesizes the world’s wisdom to awaken the art of living.

In an age of information overload, Sloww Sunday is like a deep breath for your mind.

1. Sloww Stuff

🆕 All 150+ Longevity Ingredients from “The Blue Zones Kitchen” Cookbook (+ Spreadsheet Summary) — This book is the culmination of decades of Dan Buettner’s research on the Blue Zones. I read it twice, reviewed all 100 recipes, and compiled every ingredient into a spreadsheet. If you want to “reverse-engineer a formula for longevity,” use this ingredients list as your grocery shopping list.

🔒 Stream of Consciousness: Does a Timeless Diet Exist? — There’s timeless wisdom, but is there timeless nutrition? In this new premium post, I summarize and synthesize five top diets in search of the common principles of a timeless diet. The information outlined here is what I’m personally using as foundational guidelines for myself.

2. Documentary I’m Watching

📺 Finding Joe
(80 mins | YouTube)

This is a nice introduction to Joseph Campbell and “the hero’s journey.” The full documentary is now free on YouTube. If you are beginning the journey of self-discovery, this would be a great place to start. If you want to dive deeper, go straight to the source: Joseph Campbell’s 1988 interview with Bill Moyers “The Power of Myth.”

“People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonance within our innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive.” — Joseph Campbell

Bonus: In this short video, Joseph Campbell distills consciousness:

3. Podcast I’m Enjoying

🎧 Cal Newport on Unplugging the Static | Essentialism Podcast
(45 mins | Apple | Spotify | Google)

Greg McKeown, author of Essentialism (Book Summary), launched a new podcast a couple months ago. In the spirit of essentialism, the episodes are only 30-60 minutes long. This one features Cal Newport, author of Digital Minimalism and Deep Work.

“The Digital Minimalist Philosophy: Technology put to use for intentional purposes in intentional ways. That’s digital minimalism.” — Cal Newport

4. Article I’m Reading

📖 In Defense of the Psychologically Rich Life
(5 mins | Scientific American)

The latest article from Scott Barry Kaufman, author of Transcend (Book Summary). You’ve heard of the “happy life” and the “meaningful life,” but the latest research is now studying the “psychologically rich life.”

“The psychologically rich life is full of complex mental engagement, a wide range of intense and deep emotions, and diverse, novel, surprising and interesting experiences.” — Scott Barry Kaufman

5. Quote I’m Contemplating

No one can build you the bridge on which you, and only you, must cross the river of life. There may be countless trails and bridges and demigods who would gladly carry you across; but only at the price of pawning and forgoing yourself. There is one path in the world that none can walk but you. Where does it lead? Don’t ask, walk!
— Friedrich Nietzsche

Sharing: If you enjoyed this issue of Sloww Sunday, please share socially or send it to a few friends to spread the word!

Support: If you’re interested in supporting Sloww, there are a few financial and non-financial methods other than the Premium Membership. See ways to support.

Feedback: It’s always appreciated! Please send me an email or reach out socially.

Also, please let me know if you come across anything interesting that’s on the same wavelength as Sloww. I may be able to include it in an upcoming newsletter.

Have a courageous week!

Kyle Kowalski
Founder, Sloww